Multi-player game in which individual player games may be linked to form multi-player combined wins

ABSTRACT

In a multi-player game, individual players each play their own individual games, which individual games may yield winning outcomes for those individual players and associated awards. In addition, at one or more times, two or more individual player&#39;s individual games may be linked or combined to form a multi-player outcome, which outcome may comprise a winning multi-player outcome having an associated award. Such linking may comprise combining symbols, such as cards, from the two or more players&#39; individual games to form a multi-player outcome.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.13/024,118, filed Feb. 9, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/580,728, filed on Oct. 13, 2006, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/786,857,filed on Mar. 29, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference. This non-provisional application is related to U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,935,002 and 5,647,798. The entire contents of both U.S.patents are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to games and gaming devices, andparticularly to wagering games and devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous casino-style games exist. A common type of casino-style gamesare those presented at gaming machines. Traditionally these gamescomprised “slot” games presented at spinning reel slot machines. Later,video poker and other gaming machines were developed which were capableof presenting a wide variety of other types of games.

These gaming machines offer fun and excitement to the player, such asthe chance for large winning payouts. One problem with these gamingmachines, however, is that they isolate the player. In particular, eachplayer plays their own individual gaming machine. Each player thus tendsto get absorbed in the play of their own gaming machine. Even thoughgaming machines may be located right next to one another, players maythus feel somewhat isolated, even if another player is playing anadjacent gaming machine.

Casinos are thus continually seeking ways to heighted the player'sgaming experience, such as to make them feel more engaged andentertained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention comprises a multi-player game. In oneembodiment, individual players each play their own individual games,which games may yield winning outcomes for those individual players andassociated awards. In addition, at one or more times, two or moreindividual player's individual games may be linked or combined to form amulti-player outcome, which multi-player outcome may comprise a winningoutcome having an associated award.

The individual games played by the individual players may comprise anyof a variety of different games. As one example, the individual gamesmay comprise a matching or bingo-like game where a player attempts toachieve matches of base symbols to two or more sets of player symbols.In one embodiment, the player symbols are displayed in at least twomatrices and the player attempts to match displayed base symbols to theplayer symbols displayed in the at least two matrices. As one aspect ofthe invention, a winning result may be declared if the playersuccessfully matches a predetermined combination or pattern of playersymbols in the at least two matrices. In a preferred embodiment, awinning result is declared for matches of all player symbols in acontiguous row, column or diagonal spanning at least two playermatrices.

In such a configuration, the individual games may be presented toindividual players via one or more gaming machines. In one embodiment, agaming device may include an input device for receiving user inputs froma player and a display for displaying game information, such as agraphic user interface (GUI) containing game information. In oneembodiment, the GUI includes at least two n column by n row randomnumber (or symbol) display matrices, a first set of n random numberdisplay regions, at least one actuation icon. The device furtherincludes a processor, responsive to the user inputs, for executing anapplication program to cause the display of the GUI. The processorincludes a first random number generator for generating random numbersto be displayed in at least one of the at least two n column by n rowrandom number display matrices and a second random number generator forgenerating a first set of random numbers responsive to actuation of theat least one actuation icon. Each random number of the first set isdisplayed by a respective one of the first of the n random numberdisplay regions. Each random number of the first set of random numberscorresponds to two display matrices of the at least two n column by nrow random number display matrices. The processor further includescomparing means for comparing each of the first set of random numberswith the numbers displayed by the display matrices, and, for each match,the processor automatically covers the corresponding matching numbersdisplayed by the display matrices; and determining means for determiningwhether at least one of the at least two display matrices displays apredetermined pattern of matches, such as an amount of numberscontiguously matched in a row, a predetermined amount of numberscontiguously matched in a column, a predetermined amount of numberscontiguously matched in a diagonal, or all of the numbers of the atleast two display matrices have been matched, and, if so, generating asignal for indicating a winning condition.

The device further includes a second set of n random number displayregions and a third random number generator for generating a second setof random numbers, responsive to actuation of the at least one actuationicon. Each random number of the second set is displayed by a respectiveone of the second set of the n random number display region. Each randomnumber of the second set of random numbers corresponds to two additionaldisplay matrices of the at least two n column by n row random numberdisplay matrices.

Additionally, the device includes comparing means for comparing each ofthe second set of random numbers with the numbers displayed by thedisplay matrices, and, for each match, the processor automaticallycovers the corresponding matching number displayed by the displaymatrices; and determining means for determining whether at least one ofthe at least two additional display matrices displays a predeterminedamount of numbers contiguously matched in a row, a predetermined amountof numbers contiguously matched in a column, a predetermined amount ofnumbers contiguously matched in a diagonal, or all of the numbers of theat least two additional display matrices have been matched, and, if so,generating a signal for indicating a winning condition.

A random number of the first set of n random number display regions canmatch a random number in any column of the respective at least two ncolumn by n row random number display matrices. The first set of nrandom numbers includes random numbers within a predetermined range andwithout repetition within the first set.

A random number of the second set of n random number display regions canmatch a random number in any column of the respective at least twoadditional n column by n row random number display matrices. The secondset of n random numbers includes random numbers within a predeterminedrange and without repetition within the second set.

In one embodiment, the first, second and third random number generatorsgenerate at least one random number selected from the group consistingof a first set of random numbers ranging from 1 to 15; a second set ofrandom numbers ranging from 16 to 30; a third set of random numbersranging from 31 to 45; a fourth set of random numbers ranging from 46 to60; and a fifth set of random numbers ranging from 61 to 75.

The second and third random number generators can randomly selectsymbols selected from the group consisting of a symbol which awards theplayer a predetermined number of points; a symbol which causes a numberdisplayed by a display matrix of the at least two display matrices to becovered; a symbol which awards the player a free spin; and a symbolwhich enables the player to play a bonus round.

The device further includes means for receiving a bet from the playerprior to actuation of the at least one actuation icon, and means forawarding a progressive jackpot to the player upon display by the firstand second set of n random number display regions of a predeterminedsymbol and based on the player having placed a bet greater than apredetermined number and having selected at least four display matricesof the at least two display matrices. The means for awarding theprogressive jackpot can include awarding credits equal to the amount ofthe progressive jackpot to the player by storing the credits on a cardhaving a magnetic stripe and inserted within the device as known in theart.

The individual games may comprise various other types of games such asslot games, card games such as poker or blackjack games, bingo or othergames now known or later developed. In addition, the configuration ofthe one or more gaming devices which are configured to present suchgames may vary. For example, if the individual games comprise slotgames, the gaming devices may comprise video or spinning reel slotmachines.

As indicated, as one aspect of the invention, two or more individualplayer's individual games may be linked or combined at one or more timesin an attempt to form multi-player winning combinations or outcomes. Inan embodiment where each player's individual game comprises the matchinggame described above, winning results are declared if combinations ofmatches of player symbols are achieved which span the matrices of two ormore players. In one embodiment, a winning result may be declared formatches of player symbols along a contiguous row extending through twoadjacent matrices belonging to two different players. Other winningcombinations may include matches of player symbols along two, three orfour contiguous rows, columns or diagonals through adjacent playermatrices.

In other embodiments, such as where the individual games comprise slotgames, a winning outcome may be declared if combinations of slot symbolsspanning two or more players' slot games comprise winning slot outcomes.In an embodiment where the individual games comprise games of videopoker, a winning outcome may be declared if combinations of two or moreplayer's individual game cards comprise a winning hand of cards.

The games of the invention may be presented as base games or bonusevents to other games.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the disclosed device and methods will become morereadily apparent and may be better understood by referring to thefollowing detailed description of illustrative embodiments of thepresent disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,where:

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate display screens of embodiments in accordance withthe present disclosure;

FIGS. 8-9 illustrate bonus round display screens in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 10-12 illustrate various payout tables in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a front view of a computing device for playing the game inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 illustrate a plurality of gaming devices and associated displaysfor presenting a multi-player game in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 15A-15K illustrate examples of multi-player game play inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates another example of a multi-player game and game playin accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 17 illustrates yet another example of a multi-player game and gameplay in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention comprises a multi-player game. In oneembodiment, individual players each play their own individual games,which individual games may yield winning outcomes for those individualplayers and associated awards. In addition, at one or more times, two ormore individual player's individual games may be linked or combined toform a multi-player outcome, which outcome may comprise a winningoutcome having an associated award.

The individual games played by the individual players may comprise anyof a variety of different games. As one example, the individual gamesmay comprise a matching or bingo-like game where a player attempts toachieve matches of base symbols to two or more sets of player symbols.FIG. 1 illustrates a graphical user interface of a display screen forplaying one embodiment of a matching or Bingo-like game according to thepresent disclosure.

As detailed herein, the game methods of the invention can be implementedvia a computing device, such as a slot machine, and a stand-alone videogame console, and as a computer-readable medium for downloading the gameto a computing device, such as a slot machine, television set top box,video game console, cell phone, PDA, personal computer, etc. Hence, thedisplay screens shown by the various figures are display screens asviewed by a player looking at a personal computer monitor, LCD displayof a PDA, television screen, etc.

As shown by FIGS. 1-13, the display depicts a graphic user interface(GUI) 100 which includes display matrices 104, 106, 108 and 110 eachhaving n rows and n column or n×n blocks or cells (though in otherembodiments, the matrices may have other configurations, such as n×mwhere n and m are unequal). In the embodiment described herein n is 5and there are 25 blocks or cells “C” for each matrix as is customary ina traditional Bingo game card (though n could be other numbers, such as2 or 4 or 10, as examples). As will become readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, each cell C of the display matrices 104, 106, 108and 110 can be a television or LCD screen, or each display matrix can bea single television or LCD screen, or the entire GUI can be displayed bya single display screen, such as a display screen of a television,personal computer, PDA, slot machine, cell phone, etc.

The user or player has the option of choosing to play any one or all ofdisplay matrices 104, 106, 108 and/or 110. For example, the player canchoose to play one, two, three, or four (or more, depending on theimplementation of the game) 5×5 display matrices during a series of gameplays. The user or player chooses which display matrices 104, 106, 108and/or 110, he/she wants to play for the series of game plays bytouching the GUI (touch screen GUI) or by other means, such as pushingbuttons 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 (see FIG. 13) corresponding to thedisplay matrices 104, 106, 108 and 110.

In one embodiment, the device according to the present disclosureincludes a processor, responsive to a user input via an actuation icon112 labeled “START GAME”, for executing an application program to causea first random number generator of the processor to generate five setsof random numbers (or other indicia, as described below) for each matrixchosen by the player. The five sets of random numbers are displayed bythe five columns of each matrix chosen by the player. The five sets ofrandom numbers are generated such that each set of random numbers isgenerated without repetition within the respective set and the otherfour sets.

As indicated herein, player or game indicia are displayed in the cellsC. Such indicia or symbols may have various forms, including letters,numbers, pictures, dots or the like. In one embodiment, the symbolscomprise numbers. The numbers range for each set of random numbersgenerated by the first random number generator is 1 to 75. Each set,however, is limited to a range within the range of 1 to 75. For example,of the five blocks or cells C corresponding to the leftmost column ofthe display matrices 104, 106, 108, and 110, the limited range is 1 to15. The limited range for the second leftmost column of blocks or cellsC of the display matrices 104, 106, 108, and 110 is 16 to 30. Thelimited range for the center column of blocks or cells C of the displaymatrices 104, 106, 108, and 110 is 31 through 45. The limited range forthe second rightmost column of blocks or cells C of the display matrices104, 106, 108, and 110 is 46 through 60. The limited range for therightmost column of blocks or cells C of the display matrices 104, 106,108, and 110 is 61 through 75. As in the game of Bingo, the first randomnumber generator is designed such that a number is not displayed morethan once by the display matrices 104, 106, 108 and 110 which areanalogous to Bingo game cards.

The processor further includes a second random number (orsymbols/indicia) generator, responsive to a user input, such asactuation or selection of the actuation icon 112, for generating atleast one set of random numbers for display by the n display regions 102and/or 120. As shown by the figures, the exemplary embodiment describedherein has n equal to five.

The processor further includes a comparator, such as a comparator modulehaving programmable instructions executable by the processor forcomparing the at least one set of random numbers displayed by the ndisplay regions 102 and/or 120 with the numbers displayed in thecorresponding columns of the display matrices 104, 106, 108 and 110,and, if there is a match, allowing the processor to automatically coverthe matching number in the display matrices 104, 106, 108 and 110 toindicate a match. In some embodiments, a player could be required to“daub” or indicate matches in order to claim them, rather than havingsuch accomplished automatically by the gaming device.

More particularly, each block or cell C of the display regions 102 and120 corresponds to a respective column of two of the display matrices104, 106, 108 and 110. The leftmost display region of display regions102 corresponds to the leftmost column of the display matrices 104 and106. The second leftmost display region of display regions 102corresponds to the second leftmost column of the display matrices 104and 106. The center display region of the display regions 102corresponds to the center column of the display matrices 104 and 106.The second rightmost display region of the display regions 102corresponds to the second rightmost column of the display matrices 104and 106. The rightmost display region of the display regions 102corresponds to the rightmost column of the display matrices 104 and 106.

Similarly, the leftmost display region of display regions 120corresponds to the leftmost column of the display matrices 108 and 110.The second leftmost display region of display regions 120 corresponds tothe second leftmost column of the display matrices 108 and 110. Thecenter display region of the display regions 120 corresponds to thecenter column of the display matrices 108 and 110. The second rightmostdisplay region of the display regions 120 corresponds to the secondrightmost column of the display matrices 108 and 110. The rightmostdisplay region of the display regions 120 corresponds to the rightmostcolumn of the display matrices 108 and 110.

The processor further includes determining means, such as a determiningmodule having programmable instructions executable by the processor fordetermining whether the display matrices 104, 106, 108 and 110 has apredetermined amount of numbers matched in a matrix—i.e. a winningpattern of matches. In one embodiment, a winning pattern of matchescomprises (but is not limited to) a predetermined amount of numberscontiguously matched in a row of one matrix, a predetermined amount ofnumbers contiguously matched in a column of one matrix, and/or apredetermined amount of numbers contiguously matched in a diagonal ofone matrix. In one embodiment, the determining means also determineswhen the player has selected to play two or more matrices 104, 106, 108and 110, whether there are a predetermined amount of numberscontiguously matched in a row spanning two matrices, a predeterminedamount of numbers contiguously matched in a column spanning twomatrices, and/or a predetermined amount of numbers contiguously matchedin a diagonal spanning two matrices. The determining means preferablyalso determines whether all of the numbers of one or more matrices beingplayed have been matched. Of course, the determining means might beconfigured to determine if other combinations or patterns of matcheshave been achieved relative to one or more of the matrices. If one ormore of the above conditions are determined to have occurred by thedetermining means, the processor generates a win or Bingo indicationsignal for indicating a win or Bingo condition to the player. The Bingoindication signal can include an audiovisual indication signal, an audioindication signal or a visual indication signal for alerting the playerof the Bingo condition, and/or the one or more rows and/or columns whichcaused the Bingo condition. In the embodiment shown by the figures, thepredetermined number for obtaining a Bingo condition in one matrix isfive, and the predetermined number for obtaining a Bingo condition bymatching numbers spanning a row, a column and/or a diagonal of twomatrices is ten.

The first and second random number generators are preferably comprisedof a set of programmable instructions executable by the processor.

It has been found that a Bingo game played on a gaming machine in thisand similar embodiments can be enhanced when the random number displayregions include special symbols in addition to the random numbers.Examples of special symbols which have been found to enhance the gameinclude a “Free Spin” symbol 230 as shown in FIG. 2, which allows theplayer an extra spin if displayed, and a “Joker” symbol 232 which causesthe processor to automatically select and cover any uncovered blockwithin a column corresponding to the display region displaying the“Joker” symbol. Alternatively, the “Joker” symbol 232 causes theprocessor to automatically select and cover any uncovered block of thematrices corresponding to the n display regions which has the displayregion displaying the “Joker” symbol. Also shown by FIG. 2 is a “GoldCoin” symbol 114. The player is awarded additional credits if at leasttwo “Gold coin” symbols 114 are displayed as shown by FIG. 6 andillustrated by the payout tables shown by FIGS. 10-12. Alternatively,the player can be awarded additional credits if at least one “Gold coin”symbol 114 is displayed as shown by FIG. 2.

Exemplary plays of a preferred embodiment are now described in detailwith reference to FIGS. 1-7 showing non-sequential display screens fromdifferent series of game plays. Each game play includes five plays. Itis contemplated that a game play can include more than five plays due tofree spins accumulated during the five plays (each spin comprising therandom display of a set of base numbers and comparison of those numbersto the player numbers in the one or more corresponding matrices).

As described above, the GUI 100 is configured with actuation icon 112for starting the game after placing a bet and selecting which matricesto play. The GUI 100 further includes two sets of five random numberdisplay regions 102, 120. Each display region of the display regions 102corresponds to a column of display matrices 104 and 106; each displayregion of the display regions 120 corresponds to a column of displaymatrices 108 and 110.

With reference to the figures, the GUI 100 also includes “Free Spin”displays 124 and 124 a which indicate the cumulative total number offree spin symbols 230 displayed by random number display regions 102 and120, respectively, during the series of game plays. The available freespins as displayed by display 124 can only be played using matrices 104and 106, and the available free spins as displayed by display 124 a canonly be played using matrices 108 and 110.

“Bet Per Card” display 116 indicates different credits the user can bet,i.e., in the embodiment illustrated such may comprise either 3, 6 or 9credits, per matrix or “card” selected to be played (though in otherembodiments, other amounts of credits might be wagered). “Total Bet”display 126 indicates the cumulative bet for all matrices 104, 106, 108and 110. FIG. 1 indicates that the player has bet 3 credits for displaymatrix 104 which was selected to be played; FIG. 2 indicates that theplayer has bet 3 credits for each display matrix 104 and 110 which wasselected to be played for a total of 6 credits; FIG. 3 indicates thatthe player has bet 3 credits for each display matrix 104, 106 and 110which was selected to be played for a total of 9 credits; and FIG. 4indicates that the player has bet 3 credits for each display matrix 104,106, 108 and 110 which was selected to be played for a total of 12credits.

“Credits” display 128 indicates the amount of credits the player has andthe “Won” display 136 indicates the amount of credits won by the playerduring the series of game plays or spins. “Spins Remaining” display 122indicates the number of game plays or spins remaining. In the preferredembodiment, there is a minimum of five spins or game plays per game.That is, there are five game spins and the player can be awarded aninfinite number of free spins. In other embodiments, the game may permitor include other numbers of spins (including greater or lesser numbersof spins).

“Bonus” display 118 indicates whether the user has obtained at least onebonus round play. One embodiment of a bonus round play is describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. When display matrices 104 and/or106 are played and bonus symbol 1340 (shown in FIG. 7) appears in one ofthe random number display regions of 102, “Bonus” display 118 indicatesa 1. “Bonus” display 118 indicates a 2 in the right box (as shown inFIG. 7) if display matrices 108 and/or 110 are played and a bonus symbolappears in one of the random number display regions 120. If the playerplaces a maximum “Total Bet” 126 of 9, selects all four matrices 104,106, 108 and 110 to be played, and a bonus symbol appears in both randomnumber display regions 102 and 120, the “Bonus” display indicates a 1 inthe left box and a 2 in the right box and the “Progressive” jackpot asindicated by the “Progressive” display jackpot 142 is awarded to theplayer. The progressive jackpot is awarded to the player by methodsknown in the art, such as storing credits equal to the amount of theprogressive jackpot on a card having a magnetic stripe and insertedwithin the device.

Other displays on the GUI 100 include a “Cash Out” display 101 whichcashes out your winnings, a “Pay Table” display 103 which shows a paytable layout with respect to the amount bet per display matrix 104, 106,108 and 110 (as shown in FIGS. 10-12), a “Help” display 105 forinstructions and a “Cancel Bet” display 107 for cancelling the betplaced. The “Cancel Bet” display can also be provided as a button 2010on a computing device 2000 as shown by FIG. 13.

FIG. 2 is a display screen of a particular, individual game play of thegame according to the present disclosure. The player has selected toplay display matrices 104 and 110. The user has a “Total Bet” 126 ofthree credits per display matrix and has four remaining spins or gameplays as shown by display 122. During the game play, a “Gold coin”symbol 114 is randomly selected and displayed by one of the displays ofdisplay regions 102 and one of the displays of display regions 120.Since only one “Gold coin” symbol 114 is displayed by each displayregion 102 and 120, the player is not awarded any credits. As statedabove, in the embodiment shown by the figures, there must be a minimumof two “Gold coin” symbols 114 displayed by a display region for theplayer to be awarded credits.

Further, during the game play as shown by FIG. 2, a “Free Spin” symbol230 is displayed by one of the displays of display regions 120 andsubsequently the “Free Spins” display 124 a displays one free spin.During game play, a “Joker” symbol 232 is displayed by one of thedisplays of display regions 120. The “Joker” symbol 232 causes theprocessor to randomly select and cover a number displayed by a block ofthe center column of display matrix 110. The covered block will bedisplayed in a subsequent display screen following the display screenshown by FIG. 2. If covering a particular block will create a Bingo, theprocessor selects and covers that particular block.

FIG. 3 is a display screen of a particular, individual game play of thegame according to the present disclosure. The player has selected toplay display matrices 104, 106 and 110. The user has a “Total Bet” 126of nine credits (3 credits per display matrix) and has four remainingspins or game plays as shown by display 122. During this individual gameplay, a “Joker” symbol 232 is randomly selected and displayed by four ofthe displays of display regions 102 and two of the displays of displayregions 120. The player is hence awarded credits which are added to thepreviously awarded credits and the total number of credits is displayedby “Credits” display 128.

The “Joker” symbols 232 cause the processor to randomly select and covera number displayed by a block of the leftmost, center, second rightmostand rightmost columns of display matrices 104 and 106. The “Joker”symbols 232 displayed by display regions 120 cause the processor torandomly select and cover a number in the leftmost and rightmost columnsof matrix 110. The covered blocks will be displayed in a subsequentdisplay screen following the display screen shown by FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a display screen of a particular, individual game play of thegame according to the present disclosure. The player has selected toplay all the display matrices 104, 106, 108 and 110. The user has a“Total Bet” 126 of three credits per display matrix and has zeroremaining spins or game plays as shown by display 122.

Further, during the game play as shown by FIG. 4, a “Free Spin” symbol230 is displayed by one of the displays of display regions 120 andsubsequently the “Free Spins” display 124 a would display three freespins. During game play, “Joker” symbols 232 are also displayed by twoof the displays of display regions 102 and two of the displays ofdisplay regions 120. The “Joker” symbols 232 cause the processor torandomly select and cover a number displayed by a block of the secondleftmost and center columns of display matrix 104 and 106, and torandomly select and cover a number displayed by a block of the leftmostand second leftmost columns of display matrices 108 and 110. The coveredblocks will be displayed in a subsequent display screen following thedisplay screen shown by FIG. 4. If covering particular blocks willcreate a Bingo, the processor selects and covers those particularblocks.

As shown by FIG. 4, the player has achieved two winning or Bingoconditions; one in each of matrices 104 and 106. The two winning orBingo conditions are shown in display matrices 104 and 106 where fivenumbers were contiguously matched in rows 504 a and 506 a, respectively.Such an outcome or condition may be referred to as a “Slingo.” In apreferred embodiment, a winning or Bingo condition is achieved when fivenumbers in a row, five numbers in a column or five numbers in a diagonalare contiguously matched during one game play or over a series of gameplays of the game in display matrices 104, 106, 108 and 110. Such anoutcome may be referred to as a “big Slingo.”

In FIG. 5, a “big Slingo” or super Bingo condition is shown where tennumbers are contiguously matched in a row 738 spanning two matrices 106and 108. As indicated herein, a “big Slingo” is achieved when tennumbers in a row, column or diagonal spanning two display matrices arecontiguously matched. Additional credits are awarded to the player forachieving a “big Slingo” and these credits are added to the previouslyawarded credits and the total number of credits is displayed by the“Credits” display 128. In alternate embodiments, a player can be awardedcredits for contiguously matching numbers spanning two display matrices,where the amount of numbers matched is less than ten numbers, such asfive numbers, where two numbers are matched in one matrix and threenumbers are matched in the other matrix.

In FIG. 6, a “big Slingo” is shown where ten numbers are contiguouslymatched in a diagonal 838 spanning two matrices 106 and 110.

A description will now be provided regarding qualifying for a bonusround and playing a bonus round game with reference to FIGS. 7-9. It iscontemplated that other bonus games can be implemented for the gameaccording to the present disclosure besides the two bonus round gamesdescribed herein.

In FIG. 7, a bonus symbol 1340 (“Slingo bonus”) and another bonus symbol1340 are displayed in random number display regions 102 and 120. Theoccurrence of two bonus symbols being displayed in one of the displayregions 102 and in one of the display regions 120 trigger the awardingof the progressive jackpot to the player if the other two conditionsdescribed above are also met. The occurrence of bonus symbols havingbeen displayed by the display regions 102 and 120 during the series ofgame plays is indicated by “Bonus” display 118. The bonus round game istriggered if only one bonus symbol 1340 is displayed during the seriesof game plays by one of the display regions 102 and 120.

FIG. 8 shows a bonus round display screen 1401 of GUI 100. The usertouches one of five bags of gold 1405 and “Joker” symbol 1432 opens eachselected bag to reveal coins 1407 won or a “devil” symbol (not shown).If a devil is revealed, turn is lost. The user keeps selecting bagsuntil all five bags of gold 1405 have been selected. A final bonuspayout is accumulated and displayed by the “Bonus Total” display 1403 inwhich payouts are cumulative and multiplied by the bet per displaymatrix previously bet by the player during the series of game plays.

FIG. 9 shows another bonus round game having bonus round display screen1501 of GUI 100. Cherub 1544 is randomly allocated one to five arrows.Ten coins 1546 are displayed and the cherub shoots an arrow at selectedcoins 1546 and reveals either bonus values of 4, 6, 10, 14, 20, 30, and50, or a devil symbol 1542 which ends the bonus round play. A finalbonus payout is accumulated and displayed by the “Money Total” display1503 in which payouts are cumulative and multiplied by the bet perdisplay matrix previously bet by the player during the series of gameplays.

FIGS. 10-12 are illustrative of payout tables for the Bingo-like gameand the bonus round game for the game according to the presentdisclosure.

As described above, the object of the game is to be awarded credits byrevealing “Gold coin” and “Joker” symbols, as well as achieving Bingoand “big Slingo” conditions by matching and covering numbers on thedisplay matrices with a minimum of 5 game spins and any free spinsobtained.

In one embodiment, there exist 64 possible winning Bingo and “bigSlingo” combinations or outcomes. These are covering a complete row offive blocks (five combinations) of a matrix, covering a complete columnof five blocks (five combinations) of a matrix, covering a diagonal lineof five blocks in either direction (two combinations) of a matrix,covering a complete row of ten blocks (ten combinations) spanning twomatrices, covering a diagonal line of ten blocks in either direction(two combinations) spanning two matrices, and completely covering anindividual matrix (four possibilities). It is envisioned that one ormore of the above winning outcomes can be removed as a winning outcome.Credits are also awarded for winning the progressive jackpot. Thecredits can be redeemed for prizes, cash, or points, such as frequentflyer mileage points, etc. It is also envisioned that other winningcombinations can be added to the above winning combinations, such ascovering a complete column of ten blocks spanning two matrices.

In a preferred embodiment, the game is played as a wagering game inwhich a player wagers monies or credits having associated monetaryvalue. In such embodiments, as indicated, winnings may be paid forwinning outcome(s), which winnings comprise monies or credits havingassociated monetary value. In other embodiments, however, the game maybe played for points or other prizes.

The disclosed device may also be configured as a slot machine 2000having an activating arm 2012 and a coin slot 2014 for receiving betsfrom a player as typically found in a slot machine as shown in FIG. 13.The display regions 102 can also be configured as wheels which spin uponactivation of the activating arm. Further, the input devices may betrackballs or other pointing and GUI devices, and the selectable displayregions may include LED or LCD displays, which may be fixed in a housingor mounted on the spinning wheels of a slot machine.

The game can be implemented as a set of programmable instructions andgame resources (graphics, audio, video, alphanumeric text, etc.) capableof being executed by a general purpose processor or a hard-wiredspecial-purpose processor of a computer system, hand-held computingdevice, or other computing device, machine or apparatus for playing thegame. The set of programmable instructions and game resources can bestored on a computer-readable medium, including optical, magnetic andopto-magnetic media.

In additional embodiments, a plurality of input devices is provided tothe device for enabling multiple players to play the gamesimultaneously. The device receives user inputs from a plurality ofplayers playing the Bingo-like game via the plurality of input devices.In other embodiments, multiple gaming devices might be linked, thuspermitting the multiple players to play games of the invention in amulti-player format. As also described herein, games of the inventionmay be implemented as base games or bonus events/secondary games.

As indicated above, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention,two of more individual player's individual games may be linked orcombined in an attempt to form a winning outcome or combinations. Forexample, relative to players who are playing the Bingo-like gamedescribed above, two or more players may play different individualmatching games, such as via different gaming machines, but one or morewinning results are defined by outcomes which span or include at leasttwo different player's individual games and where the players sharing inthe winning combination also share in awards for the winning outcome.

One such aspect of the invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 14 and 15A-K. As illustrated in FIG. 14, a plurality of gamingdevices 3000 may be provided for play by different players (though it ispossible for one player to play more than one of the devices at the sametime). As illustrated, four such gaming devices 3000 a-d are provided,though there might be as few as one such device (wherein multipleplayers might play the same device) or more than four. In thisembodiment, a game of the invention is implemented as a bonus game orsecondary event. As such, each of the gaming devices 3000 a-d isconfigured to present one or more individual games. Such games mightcomprise, for example, video or reel slot games, video poker games,bingo or bingo-type games, keno games or other games now known or laterdeveloped. The individual games presented at each of the gaming devices3000 a-d might be the same or they might be different.

At one or more times, a bonus event of the invention may be implemented.Such a bonus event might be triggered by a specific outcome or event atone or more of the gaming devices 3000 a-d (such as receipt of aparticular symbol, a particular winning or losing outcome, etc.), orotherwise, such as randomly, based upon a number of games played at thegaming devices 3000 a-d, amounts wagered at the devices or othercriteria. Preferably, information regarding the bonus event is displayedon one or more bonus displays, such as the two bonus displays 3002 a,billustrated in FIG. 14. Of course, bonus event information might bedisplayed on one or more displays of the main gaming devices 3000 a-d orvia other secondary displays. In this configuration, the gaming machines3000 a-d and the bonus displays 3002 a,b are linked in communicationwith one another.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bonus event comprises asymbol matching or Bingo-like event such as that described above, whichevent further comprises a feature which permits winning combinations tobe achieved across multiple sets of player game indicia, such as aplurality of different players' game number matrices.

In one embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 15A, when thebonus event is initiated, at least two matrices are displayed.Preferably, a matrix is displayed corresponding to each gaming device3000 a-d. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, four matrices 3004 a-dare displayed. These matrices 3004 a-d preferably display numbers orother symbols in like manner to the matrices 104, 106, 108, 110described above.

In addition, sets of base symbols 3006 a-d is displayed relative to thematrices 3004 a-d. These base symbols 3006 a-d comprise randomlydisplayed sets of numbers or other symbols in like manner to the numbersin the n display regions 102/120 as described above. In a preferredembodiment, a different set of base symbols 3006 a-d is displayedrelative to each matrix, but as with the embodiment described above, itis possible for one set of base symbols 3006 a-d to correspond to morethan one matrix.

In a preferred embodiment, once the bonus event begins, each playerreceives a plurality of “spins” of their base symbols 3006 a-d formatching to their corresponding matrix 3004 a-d, in like manner to thatdescribed above. The number of spins or turns may be fixed or berandomly determined within a range of spins each time the bonus eventbegins. In this arrangement, each player attempts to obtain patterns ofmatches of their base symbols to the game symbols in their matrix(preferably using positional comparison as described above). Asindicated above, a winning outcome may comprise matches of all symbolsin at least one row, at least one diagonal and/or at least one column ofthe game symbols in their matrix 3004 a-d, i.e. a “Slingo”. Such aconfiguration is illustrated in FIG. 15A where Player 1 has achieved avertical S lingo of matches along the second column of their matrix 3004a, Player 3 has achieved a diagonal Slingo of machines through theirmatrix 3004 c, and Player 4 has achieved a horizontal Slingo of matchesalong the top row of their matrix 3004 d. Of course, players may be paidwinnings, such as credits, for achieving such combinations.

As with the embodiments described above, certain of the base symbols maycomprise not only numbers but other special symbols. Such specialsymbols might have various properties or effects, such as to cause thematching of all symbols in a particular column of the player's matrix orthe like.

Most importantly, however, and in a preferred embodiment of theinvention, players may achieve winning results by achieving patterns ofmatches which span multiple of the matrices 3004 a-d. Preferably, suchpatterns comprise combinations of matches of two or more rows or two ormore diagonals.

For example, a winning outcome may be declared if all symbols arematched along contiguous rows of two players' matrices. FIGS. 15B and15C illustrate examples of such a winning combination. As illustrated inFIG. 15B, Player 2 has achieved a horizontal Slingo along the top row oftheir matrix 3004 b and Player 3 has achieved a horizontal Slingo alongthe top row of their matrix 3004 c. Because the two rows of matches arecontiguous (i.e. uninterrupted matches of all symbols along the alignedrows of those adjacent matrices), a “Double Slingo” winning outcome hasbeen declared.

In a preferred embodiment, the matrices 3004 a,d at either end aretreated as being adjacent to the other (as if the matrices were wrappedaround a cylinder). Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 15C, Players 1 and 4may achieve a Double Wrap Around Slingo by matching all symbols inaligned rows of their matrices 3004 a,d.

As another example, a winning outcome may be declared if all symbols arematched on contiguous rows of three players' matrices. FIGS. 15D and 15Eillustrate examples of such a winning combination. As illustrated inFIG. 15D, Players 2, 3 and 4 have each matched all of the symbols in thethird row of their matrices 3004 b-d. Because the three rows of matchesare contiguous (i.e. in direct un-interrupted line), a “Triple Slingo”winning outcome has been declared.

Likewise, as illustrated in FIG. 15E, players might achieve a TripleWrap Around Slingo when contiguous rows of symbols are matched andcontinuity includes three total matrices including both the first andfourth matrix 3004 a,d (such as matches along contiguous rows of thethird 3004 c, fourth 3004 d and back to the first matrix 3004 a, asillustrated, or along contiguous rows of the fourth 3004 d and then backto the first 3004 a and second 3004 b matrix.).

As yet another example, a wining outcome may be declared in all symbolsare matched on contiguous rows of all four players' matrices 3004 a-d.One example of such a configuration is illustrated in FIG. 15F whereinall four players have achieved matches of all the symbols along thethird row of each of their matrices 3004 a-d.

As indicated above, winning combinations may be achieved for contiguousdiagonal matches. One such example is illustrated in FIG. 15G whereinPlayers 3 and 4 have achieved a Double Diagonal Slingo. This result wasachieved because the two players each achieved a diagonal S lingo andthose two diagonals touched or were contiguous with one another (notethat in a preferred configuration such a combination would not have beenachieved if the two players had both achieved diagonal Slingos whichwent the same direction). As with the “row” Slingos, diagonal Slingosmight be declared when they wrap between the first and last matrix 3004a,d.

As yet another example, a Triple Diagonal Slingo may be declared whenthree diagonal Slingos are obtained and they are contiguous. One exampleof such a configuration is illustrated in FIG. 15H wherein Players 2, 3and 4 have each achieved an individual diagonal Slingo and those Slingostouch or are contiguous. Likewise, FIG. 15I illustrates an example of aTriple Diagonal Wrap Around Slingo where three diagonal Slingos wereachieved and two of those wrapped from the last to the first matrix 3004a,d.

FIGS. 15J and 15K illustrate other unique embodiments of contiguousdiagonal Slingos. As illustrated in FIG. 15J, the combination ofdiagonal Slingos may form an “M” pattern (wherein the diagonal matchesare linked at their ends, starting with a rising diagonal Slingo on thefirst matrix 3004 a). As illustrated in FIG. 15K, the combination ofdiagonal Slingos may form a “W” pattern, (wherein the diagonal matchesare linked at their ends, starting with a falling diagonal Slingo.

In one embodiment, the awards for different winning combinations mayvary. For example, the award for harder to achieve or less probablecombinations may be higher than those for easier to achieve or moreprobable combinations. As one example, the award for a winning DoubleSlingo may be less than the win for a Triple Slingo.

As indicated, when an individual player achieves a winning pattern ofmatches relative to their own matrix 3004 a-d, such as an individualSlingo outcome, they may be paid winnings, such as points or credits. Inaddition, each player whose matrix forms a part of a contiguous winningcombination may participate in or receive winnings. For example,relative to the example illustrated in FIG. 15B, Players 2 and 3 may beawarded winnings for their individual horizontal Slingos, but also maybe awarded winnings for their joint formation of a Double Slingo (whichaward is not provided to Players 1 and 4).

In one embodiment, each player plays their spins or turns until eitherthe player matches all of the symbols in their matrix 3004 a-d (a “fullcard”) or they have exhausted their turns. In one embodiment, forexample, once an individual player's card is fully matched, thatplayer's matrix may be blacked out or taken off of the display and canno longer be used in combination with the other matrices to form winningcombinations. In a preferred embodiment, matching cards continue to bedisplayed so that they may continue to be used to form winning outcomeswith other of the matrices. In one embodiment, individual players mightbe awarded free or additional spins (such as by revealing them fromunder a matched symbol in their matrix). In this arrangement, theplayers may end up having different numbers of spins or turns.

In one embodiment, each player is awarded the points or credits whichthey collect or achieve during the play of the bonus or multi-playerevent or portion of the game. For example, an individual player mightachieve an individual Slingo and be paid 100 credits and then laterachieve a Triple Slingo with two other players and be paid 200 credits,for a total award of 300 credits.

In addition, as with the game described earlier, individual playersmight win other awards, such as by revealing Gold Coins or the likeduring the play of their individual matrix.

In one embodiment, a bonus award may be paid based upon the outcome orranking of each player's winning at the end of the bonus event. Forexample, the player who received the highest aggregate points or creditsduring the bonus event might be paid a bonus ranking award of 2500credits, the second ranked player might receive 750 credits, the thirdranked player might receive 500 credits, and the lowest or last rankedplayer might receive 250 credits. Of course, not all players necessarilyhave to be paid a ranking bonus (for example, only the highest rankedplayer might receive the bonus). Further, the amounts of the awardsmight vary.

In one embodiment, the size of the rank bonus or individual outcomeawards might depend upon an award multiplier which the player pays forat the beginning of the bonus event. For example, at the beginning ofthe bonus event, each player might be given the opportunity to place a 1credit wager up to a maximum credit wager, such as 5 credits. The sizeof the player's wager may be used as a multiplier or otherwise changethe size of awards for winning outcomes. In other embodiments, the sizeof a multiplier or the like may be determined by the size of theplayer's wager in the individual game or if the game is being played asa bonus event, the size of the wager in the base game.

In the above example, four players were playing the four gaming devices3000 a-d and thus participated in the bonus event. In one embodiment,the bonus event can be triggered and played by a minimum of one activeplayer. In such an embodiment, the other matrices may be “played” by thecomputer or gaming device. In such an embodiment, of course, the othergaming devices then do not collect winnings. However, by activating theother matrices and playing them, the single player can participate inoutcomes which span multiple matrices.

In other embodiments, the game need not be presented as a bonus event.For example, the game might simply be presented as a base game insimilar fashion to that described above.

The game or bonus event might have other formats or variations. Forexample, instead of four players each playing a single matrix, twoplayers might play a single matrix. In another example, two playersmight each play more than one matrix. Relative to the variationillustrated in FIG. 4, a first player might play matrices 104 and 106,while a second player might play the matrices 108 and 110.

Also, the plurality of matrices may be arranged in variousconfigurations, thus permitting different arrangements of contiguousmatches through multiple player matrices. For example, relative to theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 4, the two players might cooperate tocreate an “X” Slingo through the diagonals of all four matrices. Inembodiments where the players' matrices are stacked vertically, theplayers might cooperate to generate “vertical” Slingos. For example,instead of having four matrices arranged horizontally, four playermatrices might be stacked vertically and then the players mightcooperate to define double, triple or quadruple vertical Slingos.

As indicated herein, the games of the invention are preferably playedwith numbers. However, the games could be played with other indicia,such as symbols.

While the player symbols are preferably displayed in matrix format, theycould be displayed in other fashions, such as in a pyramid or othergrids, etc. As also indicated above, the number of player symbols mayvary and do not have to comprise 25 symbols in a 5×5 matrix.

Alternate variations on the game can be made. For example, one can varythe occurrence of the symbols which can be displayed by the displayregions 102 and 120, as well as the minimum or maximum bet per cardallowed and/or the amount of credits awarded for the various winningcombinations.

It will thus be appreciated that the feature of linking or connectingtwo or more players' individual games for potential winning combinationsmay have various forms. For example, FIG. 16 illustrates an embodimentof the invention in which a first Player 1 and a second Player 2 eachplay an individual game of poker (such as by Player 1 playing a firstvideo poker gaming machine 4000 a and Player 2 playing a second videopoker gaming machine 4000 b). Such a game may involve each playerplacing a wager and then being dealt an initial hand of cards, such asvia an electronic display of their respective gaming machine. If thepoker games are played as draw-poker games, each player may have theopportunity to discard one or more (or all) cards and have those cardsreplaced. The final hand (including any replacement cards) may then beevaluated to determine if it is a winning hand, such as by comparing thehand against a pay table of winning hands having associated payouts. Forexample, such a pay table may define as winning hands the standardwinning poker hands of A Pair of Jacks or Better, Two Pair, Three of aKind, a Full House, a Straight, a Flush, a Straight Flush, Four of aKind and a Royal Flush.

As illustrated, Player 1 has received a winning hand comprising a Pair(of Aces) and has been paid an award of 10 credits. Player 2 hasreceived a losing hand.

In addition, however, the cards in each of Player 1 and Player 2's handsare combinable to form a “super” winning hand. In particular, the King,Ace and 3 of Diamonds from Player 1's hand and the 10 and 6 of Diamondsfrom Player 2's hand may be combined to form a Flush hand (five cards inthe suit of Diamonds). In this configuration, the combination of cardsfrom the two players' hands may thus result in a multi-player winningaward. This combination of cards might be displayed, for example, on abonus or additional display 4000 c which is located adjacent to thegaming machines 4000 a, 4000 b which Players 1 and 2 are playing.

Yet another example of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 17 whereinthree players, Players 1, 2 and 3, are each playing a slot-type game atgaming machines 5000 a, 5000 b, 5000 c. Each player may have placed awager and a plurality of symbols may have been displayed as part ofindividual game play. Each player's individual game symbols may beevaluated along one or more pay lines or otherwise, for potentialwinning combinations. FIG. 17 illustrates just one example in which eachplayer's individual game comprises a single line of symbols which areevaluated along a single horizontal pay line.

The symbols may be evaluated for potential winning combinations, such asagainst a pay table of winning combinations having associated awards. Inone embodiment, for example, three of the same symbol along any pay linemay comprise a winning outcome. In this case, none of the playersreceived a winning combination as a result of their individual gameplay.

In accordance with the invention, the one or more symbols of two or moreplayers might be combined in an attempt to form a multi-player winningcombination. For example, as illustrated, each player's set ofindividual game symbols might be displayed on a bonus display 5000 dwhich is located adjacent to the gaming machines which the players areplaying. In this example, each player's set of individual game symbolsmay be displayed as a row of a multi-row and column matrix. Thiscombination of symbols may be evaluated along one or more pay lines, orotherwise, for potential multi-player winning combinations. For example,sets of three of the same symbols along any pay line may again comprisea winning combination.

In this example, the players' combined symbols are evaluated along threevertical pay lines P1, P2 and P3, and along two diagonal pay lines P4and P5. In this example, three 7 symbols are aligned along pay lines P2and P4, thus resulting in two multi-player winning combinations. In oneembodiment, each of these winning combinations may yield 100 credits toeach of the participating players.

Of course, the figures merely illustrate examples of the invention andthe invention is not limited to these configurations.

As is apparent from the examples described above, different numbers ofplayers might participate in the multi-player aspect of the game. Forexample, aspects of the individual game play of 2, 3 or more playersmight be combined as part of the multi-player aspect of the game.

In one embodiment, all players who are playing the game may participatein a winning multi-player outcome. In another, preferred embodiment,only those players who contribute to the multi-player win participate inany award. For example, relative to FIG. 16, if the game involved athird player P3 and that player did not contribute any cards to awinning multi-player hand, then that player P3 would not be awarded anyaward for the multi-player winning outcome.

In addition, the multi-player awards need not be the same for eachparticipating player. For example, relative to the example illustratedin FIG. 16, the Flush combination of cards might yield a 200 creditaward. This award might be split between players P1 and P2, asillustrated. Alternatively, player P1 might receive ⅗ of the award andplayer P2 ⅖ of the award, based upon the fact that P1 contributed 3 ofthe 5 cards that comprised the winning multi-player hand, and player P2contributed the remaining 2 cards.

It will also be appreciated that the pay tables of winning outcomes andawards for individual game play may differ from those for themulti-player portion of the game. For example, relative to FIG. 16, forindividual game play any hand having a value of a Pair of Jacks orBetter might comprise a winning individual game win. However, amulti-player win might require a Three of a Kind or a higher rankinghand. Also, the awards for winning outcomes might vary, such as beinghigher or lower in the multi-player portion of the game.

It will be appreciated that the two or more players' individual gamesmay be combined or linked in various manners. For example, relative toFIG. 17, entire lines of player symbols might be arranged in alignedrows, columns or into a matrix as illustrated. In another embodiment,individual symbols (but not all symbols) might be taken from theplayers' individual games and be used in the multi-player game. Thosesymbols might be evaluated along various pay lines, for a scatter pay ofsymbols or in other fashions.

In one embodiment, the individual games of sets of two or more playersmight be combined for a first level multi-player win and then thoseoutcomes might be merged with one another for higher level multi-playeroutcomes. For example, four players P1, P2, P3 and P4 might playindividual games. The outcomes of individual games played by players P1and P2 might be combined, as may the outcomes of players P3 and P4, andthat first level of combination might be evaluated for a first levelmulti-player win. Those first level combinations might be furthercombined and evaluated for a second level multi-player win.

As indicated above, the game of the invention may be presented invarious ways, including by various devices. For example, a gamingmachine may comprise a desk-top computer, a lap-top computer or even amobile device such as a hand-held or mobile unit. For example, a game ofthe invention might be presented via a mobile phone or at a personalcomputer. In such a configuration, the processor of the computer mayexecute code which presents game information via a display associatedwith the computer. A player might provide input via a touch screen,computer mouse or keyboard. A player might place a wager by providingcredit card information to provide one or more credits and by then usingan input to place a wager of those credits. In another embodiment, someor all of the game information might be generated remotely, such as at aremote game server, and be transmitted over a communication link to theplayer's computer. In regard, in one embodiment, the game of theinvention may be implemented as an “on-line” game. Such a game may bepresented as a wager-based game or an amusement game. Such a game may bepresented by a player utilizing their computer to access a game servervia the Internet. The game server may transmit game code for executionby the user's computer for presenting the game. For example, two or moreplayers might play individual games at a single game station or at twolinked gaming machines. The multi-player aspect of the game might bedisplayed at each gaming machine which the individual players areplaying and/or via one or more additional devices such as secondarydisplays, such as associated video displays. It is also possible for thegame of the invention to be played on-line. For example, first andsecond players might play video poker in a web-environment via theirpersonal computers. Those player's individual game outcomes might becombined for potential multi-player wins. The gaming machines or devicesmay also be linked to a server, such as in well-known server basedgaming configurations.

Of course, as indicated above, the configurations of the gaming machinesor devices may vary depending upon the games being presented. Forexample, players might play individual spinning reel slot games atindividual slot gaming machines each having one or more physicalspinning reels. If the individual games comprise video poker, the gamingmachines might each have one or more electronic video displaysconfigured to display images of cards.

It will be appreciated that depending on the environment or the numberof linked gaming machines, the game could involve the potential linkingof large numbers of players. Such linking could result in numerousmulti-player combinations and thus the potential for large numbers ofgame wins.

The game of the invention could also be played at a table, such as usingphysical cards or the like. For example, two players P1 and P2 might bedealt physical cards at a gaming table and the players' individual cardhands might be evaluated. In addition, the players might combine theircards to form a super-hand of winning cards. The players might be paidwinnings by the house in accordance with a pay table. In anotherembodiment, teams of players might play against one another, such asplaying for a pot where the team which forms the highest winningmulti-player hand wins the pot.

In one embodiment, the outcomes of the individual games are combined forpotential multi-player winning combinations. However, it is possible forother aspects of the individual games to be combined. For example,relative to a video poker embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 16, theindividual games may comprise draw poker games in which each player isdealt a first hand of cards, such as five initial cards. Each player maybe permitted to discard and replace one or more (including all) of thosecards and then be dealt replacement cards. The final hand of cards,including any replacement cards, may then be evaluated for a winningindividual game outcome. In this configuration, cards from the players'final hands might be combined to form multi-player outcomes. In anotherembodiment, however, cards from the players' initial hands (before anydiscarding and drawing) might be combined.

The multi-player aspect of the game might also be initiated at varioustimes. For example, in one embodiment only those players who place awager of a certain size might participate in the multi-player aspect ofthe game. For example, a player might be required to place a base wagerin order to play the individual game and a larger wager to play both theindividual game and participate in the multi-player aspect of the game.In such a configuration, only those players who placed the larger wagerwould participate in the game and thus have a chance at multi-playergame winnings.

In one embodiment, the multi-player aspect of the game may be played orpresented at the end of each round of individual game play (for example,each player may be required to play an individual game during a timeperiod or before a cut-off time so that the player's individual gamesremained “synced” relative to the multi-player aspect of the game). Inanother embodiment, the multi-player aspect of the game might only bepresented at certain times, such as during a bonus mode which israndomly triggered, triggered by a certain individual game outcome ortriggered by a coin-in value or other criteria. Thus, in someembodiments, players might play individual games without anymulti-player aspect of the game being presented.

The games and gaming devices/systems of the invention have numerousadvantages. One particular advantage of the invention is a game in whichplayers each play their own individual game, but where the game has amulti-player aspect. The multi-player aspect involves multiple players,thus causing individual players to become involved with one another.This creates a stimulating and engaging environment which involvesmultiple players. The players may, for example, converse to strategizeon how to cooperate to achieve multi-player wins.

Another aspect of the invention is a game where multiple players'individual games are combined or linked as part of a multi-player game.In the prior art, bonus events are known where players may play one gameand then enter a bonus mode or event which involves an entirelydifferent game using an entirely different set of symbols or events thanthose used in the first game. In accordance with the invention, two ormore players' individual games are linked or combined as part of themulti-player portion of the game. As a result, each player may playtheir individual game so as to try and improve the probability of amulti-player win. In addition, because the player's individual game isdirectly used in the multi-player game, each player can quickly andeasily appreciate how their individual game contributes to themulti-player portion of the game.

As disclosed herein, the individual players may play individual gamesand participate in a multi-player game. The individual player games maycomprise base games (i.e. an original or originating game, such as thefirst portion of a game which is initiated after a wager), or maycomprise games which are presented as part of a bonus event. Forexample, multiple players might play base games and, as a result of atriggering event, enter a bonus mode. During that bonus mode, eachplayer may play their own individual game and have the opportunity toparticipate in the multi-player portion of the game (in that situation,each player's individual game may be referred to a base game relative tothe multi-player portion of the game, though each player's “base” gameis really being presented as part of a bonus event off of another game).

In one embodiment, it is possible for two or more players to participatein each individual game (i.e. a first group) and then have the outcomeof that game be combined with the outcome of one or more other games ina multi-player aspect of the game. Further, while the game has beendescribed as players playing a base or individual game and thenpotentially participating in a multi-player portion of the game, one ormore players may play one or more first games and then the outcomes ofthe first games of two or more players may be utilized in a second ormulti-player game or aspect of a game.

As will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, variationsof the present method and device can be designed and built withoutdeparting from the scope of the claimed disclosure. For example, variousembodiments can be fully incorporated into software and played on acomputer or similar device.

Accordingly, while the disclosed device and method have beenparticularly shown and described with reference to the preferredembodiments, it is understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications in form and detail may be made therein without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

1. A method for playing a game by at least two players comprising thesteps of: accepting a wager from each player; presenting a individualgame to each player, each individual game comprising the steps of:generating and displaying one or more individual game symbols; anddetermining if said individual game symbols comprise a winningindividual game outcome and, if so, awarding to said player an award forsaid winning individual game outcome; and combining one or more symbolsfrom said two or more players' individual games; and determining if anyof said combined symbols form a winning multi-player outcome and, if so,awarding a multi-player award for said multi-player outcome.
 2. Themethod in accordance with claim 1 wherein said individual games comprisepoker games, said step of generating and displaying one or moreindividual game symbols comprises displaying a hand of cards, and saidstep of determining if said individual game symbols comprise a winningindividual game outcome comprises determining if said hand of cardscomprises a winning combination of cards.
 3. The method in accordancewith claim 2 further comprising the step of generating and displayingcards comprising a first hands of cards, receiving input from eachplayer as to one or more or all of said cards comprising said first handof cards to be discarded and replaced, replacing any discarded cards,and evaluating a final hand of cards for winning individual gameoutcomes.
 4. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidindividual games comprise slot-type games and said individual gamesymbols comprise slot symbols.
 5. The method in accordance with claim 4wherein each player's slot symbols are displayed in combination andevaluated along one or more pay lines for potential multi-player winningcombinations.
 6. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein eachplayer plays a gaming machine and said individual game symbolscorresponding to each player are displayed on at least one display ofeach gaming machine and wherein said combination of one or more symbolsare displayed on at least one secondary display.
 7. The method inaccordance with claim 6 wherein said at least one secondary displaycomprises at least one video display located above said gaming machines.8. A gaming system comprising: at least a first player playing a firstgaming machine and a second player playing a second gaming machine;accepting a wager from said player of said first gaming machine;accepting a wager from said player of said second gaming machine;presenting a individual game to said first player of said first gamingmachine, said individual game comprising generating and displaying oneor more individual game symbols and evaluating those symbols forpotential individual game winning combinations; presenting a individualgame to said second player of said second gaming machine, saidindividual game comprising generating and displaying one or moreindividual game symbols and evaluating those symbols for potentialindividual game winning combinations; and combining one or more of theindividual game symbols from said individual games presented at saidfirst and second gaming machines and determining if said combinedindividual game symbols comprise a multi-player game winning outcome,and displaying the results of said multi-player game.
 9. The gamingsystem in accordance with claim 8 wherein said results of saidmulti-player game are displayed upon at least one electronic displayassociated with said first and second gaming machines.
 10. The gamingsystem in accordance with claim 8 wherein said individual games compriseslot type games and said first and second gaming machines each compriseat least one spinning reel configured to display slot symbols.
 11. Thegaming system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said individual gamescomprise video poker games and said first and second gaming machineseach comprise at least one electronic video display configured todisplay images of playing cards.
 12. The gaming system in accordancewith claim 8 wherein said first and second gaming machines are locatedadjacent to one another.
 13. The gaming system in accordance with claim8 wherein said one or more individual game symbols are combined in theevent of a triggering event.
 14. The gaming system in accordance withclaim 8 further comprising awarding a individual game award for aindividual game winning outcome.
 15. The gaming system in accordancewith claim 14 further comprising awarding a multi-player award for amulti-player game winning outcome.
 16. The gaming system in accordancewith claim 8 wherein each player's gaming machine comprises a personalcomputer.
 17. The gaming system in accordance with claim 16 wherein saidplayer's computers are linked by at least one communication network. 18.The gaming system in accordance with claim 17 wherein said communicationnetwork comprises the Internet.